Collision Avoidance Flashcards
Defensive driving is _____
driving in a manner that avoids collisions at all times regardless of who has the right-of-way.
Defensive drivers possess the following characteristics:
(1) View safe driving as a personal responsibility.
(2) Recognize the dangers involved in driving a law
enforcement vehicle.
(3) Drive at a speed that is safe for existing conditions.
(4) Yield the right-of-way when necessary.
(5) Make exemplary and safe decisions while driving
.
Failure to operate within the law and policy can result in _____
criminal prosecution, civil liability, and agency discipline.
“Space cushion” refers to _____
the clear area surrounding a vehicle. It includes the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle.
There are 5 critical components of vision:
(1) Focal point
(2) Central vision
(3) Peripheral vision
(4) Tunnel vision
(5) High visual horizon
Vision: Focal point –
The specific point at which a driver is looking at any given moment.
Vision: Central vision –
That part of a driver’s field of view that measures about 15 degrees around the focal point. Vision is sharpest within this area.
Vision: Peripheral vision –
The part of the driver’s field of view that lies outside central vision and extends approximately 160 to 180 degrees horizontally, and 100 degrees vertically. Peripheral vision is especially useful for detecting moving hazards outside central vision.
Vision: Tunnel vision –
With an increase in speed or stress, peripheral vision can significantly decrease, making it more difficult to detect objects outside central vision.
Vision: High visual horizon –
The distance a driver looks ahead of the vehicle that fluctuates with speed and available roadway. High visual horizon encompasses using the full spectrum of vision including looking at a distance, laterally scanning, and identifying and linking components of a turn (high entry/apex/exit) in a smooth, arching manner.
The average driver’s perception time is _____and their reaction time (which includes the decision-making process) is _____
0.75 seconds, 0.75 seconds
Calculating the average driver’s perception/reaction time at 60 mph, a driver will travel 132 feet before _____
any action is taken.
A safe minimum following distance at any speed is _____
at least 3 seconds of time between vehicles.
A safe minimum following distance at 60 mph is _____
nearly 300 feet. (97.5 ft/sec x 3 sec = 293 feet
Driver distractions include:
(1) Cellular telephone use
(2) Mobile Digital Computer
(3) Radio/Consolidated Patrol Vehicle Environment
(4) In-custody arrestee
(5) Partner officer
(6) Map/navigation
(7) Operation of Code 3 equipment
(8) Patrol activities/observations
(9) Unsecured objects within the vehicle
(10) Food/drink
_____ pose one of the greatest risks for collisions faced by the law enforcement driver.
Intersections
At an intersection, a defensive driver should always assume
every lane is occupied until they can see otherwise.
When clearing an intersection, travel at a speed that _____
you can still stop if necessary.
When clearing an intersection, look _____
left, front, right, then left again before proceeding.
When clearing an intersection, and vehicles appear to be yielding the right-of-way, _____
make eye contact with other drivers or pedestrians. This does not guarantee right-of-way, still be prepared to stop.
Fresh green traffic light considerations:
Pause and look left, front, right, and left again before proceeding into the intersection to allow for cross traffic which has failed to stop for the red light.
Stale green light considerations:
(1) Anticipate the light cycling to yellow and be prepared to slow to a stop.
(2) Look both ways before proceeding into the intersection to allow for unanticipated cross traffic.
Right turn considerations:
(1) When waiting for another vehicle directly ahead of you to make a right turn, do not assume the other driver will proceed when it is clear.
(2) Make eye contact with other drivers or pedestrians at the intersection who appear to be yielding the right-of-way.
Left turn considerations:
(1) Keep the front wheels straight to avoid being pushed into oncoming traffic if hit from the rear.
(2) Make eye contact with other drivers or pedestrians at the intersection who appear to be yielding the right-of-way.
(3) Clear the oncoming traffic lane by lane before proceeding.
Freeway merging considerations:
(1) Accelerate to match the speed of traffic.
(2) Signal
(3) Check mirror
(4) Check over your shoulder (blind spot)
Freeway entering from the shoulder considerations:
(1) Use shoulder to accelerate and match the speed of traffic.
(2) Signal
(3) Check mirror
(4) Check over your shoulder (blind spot)
High speed driving (loss of speed reference) considerations:
Checking your speedometer frequently will assist in maintaining appropriate speed awareness.
Wrong-way driver considerations:
(1) Maintaining a high visual horizon is the best defense from being involved in a collision due to a wrong-way driver.
(2) Avoided using the leftmost lane as wrong-way drivers are often impaired or disoriented and operate in the leftmost lane.
A large percentage of collisions occur while operating a vehicle _____
in reverse.
Before backing a patrol vehicle, _____
exit the vehicle and visually check behind the vehicle if you are not certain the area is clear.
While backing, continue to _____
look back until the vehicle stops.
While backing, if the rear window is obstructed, _____
use all available equipment (mirrors/camera).
Backing Hazards: At speeds greater then 10 mph,
(1) Avoid unless necessary.
(2) Back in a straight line when possible.
(3) Use minimum and smooth steering input if necessary.
(4) Be aware of obstacles and blind spots.
Backing Hazards: Backing in the roadway,
(1) Use the shoulder of the road.
(2) Avoid erratic movements that could confuse other drivers.
(3) Back slowly and smoothly.
(4) Be aware of obstacles and blind spots.
Backing Hazards: Backing onto the roadway,
(1) Be aware of cross traffic on sidewalk, shoulder, and roadway.
(2) Back slowly and smoothly.
(3) Be aware of obstacles and blind spots.
Backing Hazards: Parking,
(1) When possible, back into a parking space when arriving rather than backing out when leaving.
(2) Consider a front-end swing and crowding the side of the stall you are backing towards when leaving.
When worn properly, seat belts are _____
the single most effective way of protecting vehicle occupants from serious injury or death in a collision.
Tactical Seat Belt Removal is _____
a quick and effective way of disengaging and retracting a seat belt to ensure it does not become entangled on items in the vehicle’s interior or on an officer’s equipment.
Tactical Seat Belt Removal should be performed _____
every time the vehicle is coming to a stop and prior to exiting the vehicle.
Airbags are designed to _____
cushion occupants in collisions.
Airbags are _____ restraint systems and _____
supplemental, do not replace seat belts.
To protect from personal injury during airbag deployment, _____
keep your hands on the steering wheel at the 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock positions when possible (balanced hand position).
